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Tatler+
Modish mum and entrepreneur Kai Nakanishi Lim takes us through her style sensibilities and how she incorporates lustrous pearls into her day-to-day looks
The contemporary mum wears many hats daily. She is the family’s nurturer, an educator to the kids, the keeper of the household, a leader at the workplace, and an exemplar of grace all throughout. Kai Nakanishi Lim makes the job look easy. As one of the ladies behind the curated concept store and events hub of Cura V, Lim illustrates her dynamic roles in life the best way she knows how: through her style.
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“I love fashion because it’s the most personal level of self-expression. One day can be playful and young; the next can be sleek and formal,” she muses. Evinced in the practicality of athleisure wear for running errands or the sophistication of a power suit for business meetings, it’s true that a well-thought-out look can reflect the different facets of a modern woman’s lifestyle. Lim adds, “How a woman feels about her outfit for the day dictates her mood. For some, high heels command authority while some will keep it cool in sneakers, and this can change on a daily basis.”
She likewise describes her aesthetic as one that changes from time to time yet is always “classic but fun” at the end of the day. It’s natural that many mums find their preferences evolving through the years, and Lim wholeheartedly agrees. “I used to choose fashion over comfort—now, it has to be a combination of both,” she says.
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More than the difference in her style that she has come to embrace, what has ultimately surprised her most since becoming a mum is just about everything her children have taught her. “It’s refreshing to see the world through their eyes,” she enthuses. “I have learned so much from my kids: patience, resilience, and grit…The days are long, but the years are short. I used to see this phrase often, and it didn’t hit me until my older kids became teenagers. All those sleepless nights and the time spent with them as babies and toddlers are priceless.”
Above Photo: Courtesy of Kai Lim
Photo: Courtesy of Kai Lim
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Lim’s love of South Sea pearls is similarly nostalgic, as she recalls her own mum having worn them often when she was growing up. She shares, “Pearls are heirloom jewellery you can pass on from generation to generation; they never go out of style. Some associate them with having a more mature taste, but I don't think that's true. Pearls can be modern and edgy. The juxtaposition of a contemporary look with classic pearls makes it more interesting.”
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With her astute eye for detail, Lim demonstrates this in the way she styles the exquisite gems in her daily regalia. “It depends on my mood,” she relays in a recent shoot with Tatler, donning the golden creations of Jewelmer and simultaneously giving us a peek into her accessorising process. “If I’m going for something feminine that day, I’ll wear pearl earrings or a strand of pearls. If I’m going for something more current, I’ll go for a modern pearl drop pendant or a bangle.”
See also: Liz Uy on Styling Pearls for the Holiday Season
Finishing touches like these can make or break an outfit, and this is a rule that Lim personally abides by. She concludes by adding that the only key to making clothing choices is to figure out what you like, what best accentuates your existing features, and what will have you strutting your stuff as soon as you step out the door. She says, “You need to feel confident in your clothes; worrying about comfort or wardrobe malfunctions is unattractive. Know what works for you and dress only for yourself. Nothing is sexier and more empowering than a confident woman.”
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Whether you’re a busy mum yourself or simply someone who appreciates the art of dressing well, we could all learn a thing or two from this seasoned tastemaker and her expert advice. Lim exemplifies how expressing oneself through fashion doesn’t stop amidst juggling the various responsibilities that come with motherhood—it is rather a powerful means of empowerment for inspiring mothers today. They definitely deserve it and more.
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Credits
Photography: Sela Gonzalez
Make-Up: Johnson Estrella
Hair: Rudolf Davalos
Jewellery: Jewelmer
Production: Isabel Francisco, Bianca Simeon
Location: Home of Kai Nakanishi Lim
Topics
Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
